Maya Angelou Essay

1926 Words8 Pages

Her life was never easy. From the time she was born, Maya Angelou was subjected to racism, rape, grief and dehumanization. She beared enough emotional stress in a time frame that most people don't experience in a lifetime. Yet she prevailed. She forced herself to become stronger. And in doing so, she produced writings, which in turn, helped others to become strong. Her experiences and the lessons learned gave her confidence to be a teacher, a preacher, and an inspiration to millions. Maya Angelou was courageous. Based on Angelou’s most prestigious autobiography, I Know Why
The Caged Bird Sings, along with others, certainly reveals the occurring hardships and misfortunes of her life. In Maya Angelou’s first published…show more content…I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, prevails in moments where metaphors correspond perfectly to the emotions of Maya Angelou’s relationship with Annie Henderson, her grandmother, whom Angelou referred to as Momma Henderson. It is distinctly exemplified when three white girls perform a handstand pantyless in front of Momma Henderson revealing their power of white sexuality in front of a superior woman. Momma just hymns a song showing her granddaughter how to react to the ridicules of the
“powhitetrash.” Steven Butterfeld of American Writers views Momma’s reaction as a victory in self control(American Writers 3). Angelou exhibits a similar spirit when describing her visit with Momma to a white dentist who reveals that he would rather put his hands in a dog’s mouth than a niggers(Contemporary Literary Criticism 12 12). The appalling parallel between the “dog” and the “nigger” narrates the account of dehumanization noted by African American writers. The most powerful emotional response in the first autobiography, I
Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, is Angelou’s contrary speech after being raped by her mothers lover. On page four of American Writers the author describes the speech in the language used by Angelou describing the tragic episode: Then there was the pain. A breaking and entering when even the senses are torn apart. The act of

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Maya Angelou is known as the “most visible black female autobiographer/poet.” She was born, Marguerite Ann Johnson, on April fourth, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents divorced when she was three, and she and her brother were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Seeing all the racial discrimination in the American south strengthened her passion for poetry, music, dance and performance. Maya writes about the struggles people face, racism and freedom. At age

who heavily influenced Americans of all skin colors. Maya Angelou is similar to those great black leaders in the way she influences others. Angelou’s contributions to American literature is superlative. She fought racism, segregation, and sexism without losing her optimism, thus, making her a true woman of inspiration.
Maya Angelou grew up in a small, segregated town in the deep South where she had to learn to deal with racial hatred. Angelou was originally born as Marguerite Johnson in Saint

Maya Angelou was born April 4, 1928. Her real name is Marguerite
Johnson, but she later changed it to Maya. She was born in St.
Louis, shortly after her birth her family up and move to
Arkansaw. Maya grew up there in the rural parts of Arkansaw, and
later married to a South African Freedom Fighter. She lived in
Cairo with him, there she began her career as editor of the Arab
Observer. At the request of Dr. Martin Lutheran King Jr., she
became the northern coordinator for the Southern Christian
Leadership

Maya Angelou was an American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist known worldwide for these many things. Throughout her life she had published seven autobiographies, three essay turned books, and several books of poetry. She was credited by many influencers for her amazing list of plays, movies, and television shows that had a span of over 50 years. She was and for many more lifetimes will be a woman that people look up to. Many people know her as Maya Angelou.
Born on April 4, 1928, in St

Distress in Maya Angelou's Life
Marguerite Ann Johnson, commonly known as Maya Angelou, was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a famous African-American poet, novelist, and playwright and also worked during the civil rights: "Angelou is a very remarkable Renaissance woman who hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature" (www.mayaangelou.com). She is also an activist in civil-rights. Angelou went through many controversies during her childhood and adulthood; her

parents had decided to put an end to their calamitous marriage and Father shipped us home to mother” (Angelou 7).
1. This excerpt comes from the beginning of chapter one. The narrator, who is also the main character Maya Angelou, informs her reader of her family status.
2. The author informs us that she is currently living with her Father’s mother due to the separation of their parents.
3. Maya Angelou includes this passage to show that there is no perfect marriage and provide knowledge as to how hard

fiction series. An honorable hero is Maya Angelou because she has given many contributions to affect history since 1928 when she was born. Maya Angelou is a southern African-American woman who endeavored many hardships, but became an inspiration to women across the world by how she overcame them. During the time she was born, racial prejudice was still a problematic situation; however, Angelou voiced these issues and became well known for speaking up. Maya Angelou is a hero with many traits such as

Marguerite Annie Johnson (Maya Angelou) was a civil rights activist, writer, poet, actor, dancer, director. For some, the list can go on and on. Most importantly she was more than an inspiration for women, the african-american race, or even the U.S. But for the world. She has won over fifty honorary degrees and is the definition of what it takes to live a fulfilled life. Here is her story.
Early Life
Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri where she lived with her father

on the bus. During this time full of racism and racial inequality, Maya Angelou was just a little girl growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis is a town in the South, like many others, had inequalities at the time. In 1938 Maya Angelou was only ten years old. At this age, she worked for a lady named Mrs. Viola Cullinan. Maya Angelou wrote briefly about her time spent working for Mrs. Cullinan in her short story “Mary.” Maya Angelou's’ use of vivid, direct characterization and alternating childish

writer, the late Maya Angelou. This statement also aligns to a 1999 contemporary classic novel, Speak, where a young freshman, Melinda Sordino, faces isolation and depression to an event that occurred over the summer, one that only she knows about. In the novel, Melinda hangs up a poster of Maya Angelou in her make-shift janitor’s closet hangout. Laurie Halse Anderson uses Maya Angelou as a figure for Melinda to learn and change by in the novel Speak. Melinda could learn from Angelou that she can stand